BOW STREET/UNION SQUARE ANGLE-IN PARKING PILOT SHOWS EARLY SIGNS OF SUCCESS

"We were fairly confident that, once

people got used to the idea, it would make Bow Street safer, more walkable and

more bike-able," said Curtatone. "But I am particularly pleased by the increase

in parking supply, as it allows for additional customers throughout the day,

which can result in additional revenues for our local businesses."

"We're going to continue to monitor the

experiment, but so far, so good," said Dias. "Radar data shows a modest drop in

average speeds, which is something we were hoping for: area residents and

residents from Properzi Manor on Warren Ave had repeatedly expressed concerns

about high-speeds and cut-through traffic. 

We've slowed things down slightly by reducing travel to a single lane,

but the reality is that the pace of traffic is more consistent with what you'd

experience in a mixed-use neighborhood with heavy foot traffic."

"There's also a big, big, plus for

merchants and drivers alike: more parking equals more customer convenience and

the potential for more revenue for local businesses," said Dias, citing a Union

Square Main Streets survey that shows the average Union Square customer spends

about $50 dollars per visit.  "The new

spaces create the ability to accommodate about 100 additional business trips

per day - and we know the spaces are getting used.  That could mean, for example, an extra $5,000

per day in added business opportunities, or over $100,000 per month from

drivers alone.  We don't yet know the

extent to which the added bicycle and foot traffic is also helping local

businesses."

"A safe and pleasant pedestrian

environment is key for the success of nearly every small business in Union

Square and the changes on Bow Street are helping to create that, said Mimi

Graney, Executive Director of Union Square Main Streets.  "It's easier to

cross the street and safer to travel on bike as the vehicles move through

smoothly and at a less frantic pace. The new twist on parking is still awkward

for some drivers, but as it's becoming more familiar, I'm seeing more parking

in the area, especially on busy Saturdays."

One aspect of the changed configuration -

the new bicycle lane - has already been well received by intended users.  Judging by comments on the City's Facebook

page, most cyclists are pleased with the change.  A June 3^rd post to the City's

Facebook page, by self-identified cyclist Ian Kennedy, was dismissive: "I drive

and bike regularly through Union. This makes doing both more of a pain.  Nice in theory but a mess in practice."   Most other bike riders, however, expressed

satisfaction with the change.  The same

day, Cynthia Conrod Finney posted: "Slower traffic and a bike lane and more

parking.  What's not to like?" Also on

June 3^rd, Somerville Bicycle Committee member Ron Newman noted "This

should make it easier to bike through Union Square," while area resident Laurinda

Bedingfield posted, "Yup, it makes it easier to bike and walk down there.  If you live there it is a big improvement."

"Although we still have a ways to go, the

results so far have been very encouraging," said Dias."We continue to work on

several issues, such as loading zones and congestion, but if Bow Street

continues to work as well as it has to date, I think it could be worth

exploring in other business areas that suffer from cut-through traffic but

would prefer to cultivate a more relaxed, calmer, and business-friendly

streetscape with additional parking spaces for local businesses and customers."